(Halifax) Canada’s top military officer says the Canadian Armed Forces will face financial challenges if it wants to maintain a persistent warship presence in the Western Pacific.
Gen. Wayne Eyre was speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday, during a panel discussion focused on China’s emergence as a military superpower.
The Chief of Defense Staff said Canada currently has three frigates operating in the region as part of joint naval exercises with Japan and the United States.
However, he stressed that these ships are reaching the end of their 30-year lifespan.
General Eyre said that while Canada is committed to keeping the ships operating in the region, sustaining the frigates “is going to be a challenge… as we balance resources around the world.”
He added that the Halifax-class frigates are in what he calls a desperate need for maintenance.
“If we look at the state of our maintenance funding over the next few years, we’re going to be in for a very, very difficult time,” Mr Eyre said.
He also expressed concern about the continued flight of the country’s maritime patrol aircraft, saying their “serviceability” is less than 50% and they are in urgent need of replacement.
Concerns
General Eyre’s comments are just the latest concerns expressed about the impact of looming budget cuts on the military.
Deputy Minister Bill Matthews told the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defense in September that the department was identifying “proposed spending reductions” totaling more than $900 million over four years, while trying to minimize the impact on military preparedness.
Defense Minister Bill Blair appeared to acknowledge his staff’s concerns Friday when he appeared before the forum during the forum’s opening panel on the war in Ukraine.
He told the roughly 300 delegates at the forum that it is difficult for Canada to provide long-term munitions commitments to Ukraine when its own stocks are so low.
“The Canadian Armed Forces are in desperate need of resources and equipment and we are committed to providing them. I very often ask them to make sacrifices and give up part of their own reserves and stocks to share with Ukraine,” he explained.
Savings
Outside experts said savings of almost $1 billion would hit the armed forces’ capabilities, although Mr Blair insisted his department’s spending would not be cut.
The most recent federal budget forecast $39.7 billion for the department in 2026-2027, compared to $26.5 billion for the current fiscal year. Most of the next few years’ budget is dedicated to long-term spending commitments, such as the purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets.
In the same budget, the government announced its intention to save more than $15 billion over five years by reducing consulting, professional services and travel by 15% and departmental spending by 3%.
The defense budget represents approximately 1.3% of Canada’s GDP. The Liberal government has never presented a plan to reach 2%, despite pressure from some of its fellow NATO members and past commitments to meet the target.
On Saturday, Mr. Blair told reporters in Halifax that his department was seeking “additional funds,” adding that the department must also work to spend money already available.
“We are in the middle of very important tax discussions with the Ministry of Finance,” he said.